Simplify 3D vs Meshmixer

Simplify3D is a widely used 3D printing software program. According to its designers, it is an “integrated software solution” for 3D printing, and it's a robust slicer. Slicing software transforms 3D digital models and their printing process parameters into 3D printer instructions.

As a result, using such software is necessary for any 3D printing method. It comes with all the tools you'll need to operate your 3D printer and individual print jobs. It enables you to optimize a model for 3D printing and troubleshoot printing problems.

MeshMixer is a free 3D software package from Autodesk that has several useful features to aid you in designing and 3D printing. It includes numerous 3D tools, such as 3D sculpting, remeshing, and mesh smoothing.

It is perfect for making 3D models out of existing volumes that can be joined with simple tools. It is a popular choice for many users, not just because of its price(free); it has some features that users might find helpful.

Differences Between Simplify3D and Meshmixer

Many methods, more or less complicated and accessible, exist today to optimize the process of modeling, which is the initial phase in designing a part of the 3D printing industry. It is, in fact, a crucial phase because it secures a significant amount of success (optimization of the quantity of material used and the orientation of the part).

Meshmixer is a free computer-aided design (CAD) application that is less expensive than simplify3D. Meshmixer works with triangular meshes, which have three elements: vertices, edges, and faces (or triangles). The vertices represent points in three-dimensional space, while the edges connect two vertices and the faces represent the association of three vertices.

Simplify3D is a slicer that allows you to build identical or distinct models using dual-extrusion 3D printers. When printing separate parts using Simplify3D, you can choose if you want to print both models simultaneously or whether one model should be printed first and then the other, which allows you to save a significant amount of time. Before printing, Simplify3D will enable you to make changes to the models themselves.

Meanwhile, Meshmixer gives editing options to help you repair your model, such as filling gaps in meshes, hollowing down your model to save material, or making it solid to ensure good printing. In comparison to competing tools, Simplify3D allows you to support considerably more complicated and precise models.

MeshMixer also has analysis features for detecting potential printing issues. It can determine the part's thickness, orientation, and strength, among other things. It can also generate the best print support.

MeshMixer allows you to start from scratch, and in this way, the program differs from a more traditional approach in its use. It is also a free and simple-to-use tool allowing you to produce your part from another model.

Finally, the program simplifies the printing process by allowing the user to select their 3D printer and material and locate a compatible printing service.

Pros and Cons of both Simplify3D and Meshmixer

Simplify3D and Meshmixer are both good slicing programs, but they each have their advantages and disadvantages that set them apart.

Simplify3D

• Cost

From all indications, In Simplify3D’s price tag may be less expensive than the periodic payments required by other slicers. Simplify3D also discounts students, instructors, administrators, and bulk buyers. The student discount is 10% off. However, you can only get the teacher, administrator, and bulk purchaser discounts by contacting a Simplify3D customer support person, which might not be a problem as you can complete the process in a few steps.

The most evident disadvantage connected with Simplify3D, no matter how much we dance around it, is its price. Even with the one-time payment and reductions, $149 is a lot of money, especially for novices who won't even need the enhanced functionality and extra features that justify the price. People often make choices with the price factor being the chief consideration so the cost implication could discourage some users.

• User’s Interface

Simplify3D has that typical Windows "practicality above artistry" appearance, utilizing the familiar macOS versus the Windows metaphor. On the other hand, practicality is critical to the platform's success. Simplify3D's adjustable settings and operations are organized into 12 tabs, making it highly user-friendly.

Furthermore, Simplify3D's interface is precisely detailed. Each of the 12 tabs shown above has subsections that indicate 3D printing factors, including supports, infill, layers, and temperature. A brief description appears when you hover your mouse over any of these settings.

Although Simplify3D's user interface has one drawback: it does not allow multitasking. If you identify a potential problem while running a simulation, you must first quit preview mode before making the appropriate changes. This transition between working and preview modes can become tedious after a while.

• Functionality

Let's have a look at the benefits of Simplify3D's functionality. Simplify3D is well known for the details of its platform. Simplify3D demonstrates this with its advanced mode in Edit Process Settings, allowing users to change almost every print component without much stress.

Simplify3D's Manual Placement tools and printing procedures are considerably more successful than other options. Also, Simplify3D users do not have issues with RAM due to the program on their machine. Even with Simplify3D's power, the software's RAM limit is 2GB, which is a difficult quantity to meet.

However, Simplify3D does not come with a big cloud library of downloadable plug-ins, which is a minor flaw. If you want a feature that Simplify3D doesn't have, you'll have to wait for the next version.

• Compatibility

According to their website, Simplify3D is compatible with about 95% of contemporary 3D printers. As a result, Simplify3D is the best software for printing.

Simplify3D has limited file format compatibility while being the most printer-friendly program available. The software supports STL, OBJ, and 3MF files, but not X3G or X3D files. The software can export these file formats and a GCODE file to your printer.

• Features

Simplify3D's range of proprietary features is one of its most significant selling points. The interactive preview allows you to verify every stage of the printing process on screen. The dual extrusion wizard simplifies two-color prints. Multi-part printing will enable you to print in a single operation, continuous, or sequentially.

Simplify3D has a reasonably short learning curve while being a more complex and detailed software than most other slicers on the market. Every processor control you'll need is shown on a screen. Exploring each feature is simple and particularly important for new users who prefer an application with which they can quickly get familiar.

The absence of a constantly updating marketplace of plug-ins will continue to impact Simplify3D as the printing landscape grows negatively. The software will have to update itself to keep up continuously.

Meshmixer

• Usage and compatibility

Meshmixer is a simple tool to use and can yet process big models of over 100MB. It has excellent support structure processing and the hollowing is highly reliable. Meshmixer cannot generate GCODES for typical SLA 3D printers, and it is only compatible with windows. It frequently freezes and requires a graphics card that is neither old nor modern.

• Cost and functionality

Mesh mixer is free and easier to use. As a result, it has a wider base of users. The auto-repair mechanism is quick, and manual solutions will work 99.5 percent of the time if it does not entirely cover all problem areas. Although the remeshing technique is slow, it produces excellent meshes with homogeneous or adaptive triangulation. It also includes a full range of tools for optimizing and preparing STL files for 3D printing, such as support generation and hollowing.

• Effectiveness

The remeshing tool should be faster, as it now takes up to a day to complete. A good brush should be added to the sculpting tools to create precise creases and ridges. The default shape library is quite restricting. It would be great if this could be linked to sites like Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or Cults3D.

Which Is Better?

Meshmixer is superior since it is more cost-effective, as it is a free computer-aided design program (CAD). It allows you to easily cut meshes and blend them, allowing you to mix numerous models in various inventive ways.

Plane cuts, mirroring, and boolean tools can all be used to combine meshes. Customize models as clay in real-time with a variety of devices. Models can be customized and optimized for 3D printing and come with a choice of grid and pattern options.

Analyze several model parameters related to 3D printing (such as thickness, hardness, and stability); print your product using a linked desktop 3D printer or an online 3D printing service like Sculpteo.

You can change the topology of the 3D model without having to worry about it. The mesh-mix feature, in particular, is incredibly strong; it allows you to easily link one model to another while the software handles all of the mesh-alteration difficulties. The user interface is simple: first, choose the location where the model will be attached, then the orientation, and you're done.

Conclusion

If you're new to 3D printing, most free and open-source slicers are excellent and will suffice for most applications. Simplify3D has a few advantages over the other slicers, the most notable of which is working with multiple processes.

Meshmixer comes with a wide range of tools. We've only scratched the surface here, but anyone interested in 3D printing should play around with all the options Meshmixer has to offer. Meshmixer comes with a lot of documentation and is simple to use. A search feature is also available within the manual, which is handy. Enjoy your 3D printing!